Mr Honesty (2020)

What a draggy sh*tshow! But I still give and 8/10

Oh boy, where to even start! I'll just say that it has been a fat minute since I wrote a review for any drama but I just had to for this one. If I didn't, I fear that I would go crazy and self-implode.

When I first came across this drama, I wondered why a show with attractive leads from the mains to the supporting cast had a mediocre, but nonetheless respectable rating of 8/10 on MDL. Now I finally understand. At times, this drama is a solid 10. The acting was on point, emotions were running high, and the music was effective and did I mention that the acting was on point. BUT, sometimes it was a 5-6 if I am being generous in the way the plot unfolded and the "character development". I put quotes around that because it would be a joke to say that anyone in this drama developed from a static, linear character with the exception of the male lead. Just when I thought that a character would deviate from their disgusting self, they just revolve back and go in circles. UGGHH so frustrating to watch. With that said, lets get started on these Characters.

ML was quite a righteous dude. His sense of responsibility to his friend's family is amendable for how long it lasted. If you think about it, he was just as much a victim if not more since he also "lost" his parents and also a friend. I probably enjoyed his development the most as it was so damn satisfying to see him tell... the TRUTH. GOD, I never knew that lying in dramas could be so frustrating but this one proved me wrong. Overall tho, his only flaw was forgiving everyone around him for the BS that they put him through.

ML's Little Sis was probably the one part of this drama that I would have no complaint whatsoever about. It's very ironic that the only sensible figure in this series filled with capable adults is a child. Seriously, I would give her the name Fix-it Shiyu (Felix) given how much repairing and building of relationships she was responsible for over the course of the show. Honestly, I was so impressed by her actor and her character. Definitely the best of this show.

Now onto everyone else. I feel like I don't have to write individual sections here because everyone is kind of the same. From the theme of manipulation to lies, to unchanging attitudes and ugly personalities, each character is uglier than the other. First we got a female lead that actively chooses to lie, a SML who is a creep and directs his anger onto the ML, a SFL who I still don't see what purpose she served other to betray everyone around her (Judas), an Annoying best friend to the FL who TBH I just skipped over all her parts, and a bratty rich kid who acts cute to the point where I feel the need to projectile vomit on the screen. The plot just gave second chances left and right to these people yet they have fallen short everytime until the end, but we don't talk about that. Never mind I will cause it's 3am and I feel like crap. How does a drama with 31 episodes so feel so rushed yet long at the same time? Unbelievable.

In conclusion, I hope that I never subject myself to this form of visual and auditory torture ever again but I am also strangely happy that I've gotten through this. I do like the FL actor and I have watched one other drama by her that didn't trigger me at all in fact. Let's hope for a better tomorrow in watching these dramas.

Read More

Great fast-moving plot with memorable characters

Storyline is not draggy with every mini conflict resolved in 2-3 episodes. Many funny moments which provides for comedic relief and a light-hearted drama. While the main couple had arguments and even ignored each other once, they never really broke up. This makes the story more realistic, as the show does not easily wield the "break-up" card for the sake of drama - which in real life is something of last resort.

Couple had great chemistry. Lots of skin contact as well. They look lovely together.

Character development for most characters are quite realistic. For example, Li Zhe's motivation is multi-faceted, which provides some complexity, while also making his character very interesting. On one hand, he is driven by the desire for revenge/ hatred towards Zhiyou's father; while on the other, he still deeply cares for Zhiyou - considering him a good friend.

My favourite character is undoubtedly the little sister. I wished that there were more scenes involving her. She is so adorable, sharp, smart and mature. It is amusing how the person giving the most thoughtful relationship advice is actually a primary school aged girl. While she might seem disrespectful at times, we can see that she is driven by a strong moral compass - and is able to stand up for herself and those around her. Hence, it was memorable seeing how she dealt with Yiren's aunt.

The worst characters are probably Yiren's cousin and aunt - they had no development at all. Always the evil persons who never learnt. It was left unclear what happened to them in the end, but it was alluded to in the 2nd last episode that the uncle divorced the aunt. If so, then at least they had their just deserts.

One last point - i would prefer if they showed more development for Gu Bo and his relationship with Xia Di. Gu Bo has shown to have grown to be more mature towards the end - but I thought he could be more so. That 2nd relationship could be better developed. It started as a elder sister protecting younger brother kind of relationship. Towards the end, this dynamic is only slightly improved. It would be better if there is more development - and we can see this relationship become more equal in nature nearing the end.

Read More

Just a simple lie meets truth fairy tale

(may contain slight spoiler but not much)
Honestly, it is a very good modern drama with no misunderstanding that cause ripples in the story for too long nor parents who oppose the couple nor gossip girls who bully the FL nor crazy situations that seem impossible to happen. it was a realistic drama but ofc it is a drama so there is a little spice in it.
I wanted to write a review abt how simple and basic that story was and how smoothly the story line went also. But then there are certain 'factors' who oppose the story line but it okay. There is a lot of kisses and hugs and cute moments in this drama in case u were looking forward to a drama that has these.
while going into the drama u will hv characters that u will hate to the core and characters u love to the core and i agree to say that these characters throughout the drama will not change.
Actors pulled a fine job with no dubbing and no extra effects. u will be surprised.
Lastly, it is a rom-com so it will go exactly as a rom-com nothing more or less. it is a perfect recommendation for someone who started cdrama lately!!

Read More

Delightful

This is a positive love story where the main leads in spite of their shortcomings learn to navigate and evolve in their relationship with loyalty and commitment never doubting the love for and of each other.

What I liked

- The FL shortcomings, developed since she was a child from a plausible survival instinct and they are balanced as she starts to improve her character when finally in the presence of real love. This has been the only exception I didn't mind a FL lying
- Some of the settings are truly beautiful
- The little sister is very engaging
- The second ML's "evil" is justified and you can't but wish him well
- At a certain time it's quite fun that the "evil" cousin intending to harm the FL actually gives her a break by engaging the second ML away from her.


What I disliked

Second couple ML - Made me skipped the whole relationship. That is why I don't give a 10
Evil family members - Also skipped the whole thing.
Second FL - a bit too much of evil doing for my taste

So in the end by skipping these parts and a bit of the stressful evil plotting of the second FL, you end up with a solid twenty episodes of a delightful relationship.

Read More

*There are minor spoilers when discussing the tropes in this drama.*

I really wanted to like this, and even after it became difficult watch at around episode 16, I still continued for three more episodes. There are just too many frustrating storylines and a bunch of tropes that I don't care for.

I loved Xin Yun Lai in the movie Cry Me a Sad River and last year's drama Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty. Here he plays Fang Zhi You, the CEO of a small architecture company who hates lying. There's nothing wrong with refusing to lie, but Fang Zhi You is really direct to the point of being condescending and disregarding the feelings of others. I mean, you can be honest without sharing your every opinion, right? Meanwhile, Xu Yi Ren, played by Liang Jie, is the opposite, always resorting to little white lies - sometimes it's understandable, especially in business situations where you need to maintain good relationships, but sometimes her small lies cause more trouble than they're worth. It feels unrealistic how unprofessional their boss-assistant relationship is, but even after they become romantically involved, their "cute" interactions feel over-the-top. I mean, I felt like the dinosaur onesies scene came out of nowhere???

Anyhow, onto the tropes:
1. The supported-him-for-years second female lead. I get it, in an alternate universe, He Yu Wen could've gotten a friends-to-lovers result that she wanted. But in this universe, she becomes angry and spiteful, which is unfortunate because she seemed like a smart and charming person initially.

2. A revenge subplot. Li Zhe (played by Liu Hai Kuan, who The Untamed fans will recognize!) has a vendetta against his childhood best friend Fang Zhi You. However, it feels like a stretch to blame it all on Fang Zhi You, and Li Zhe using Xu Yi Ren as part of his revenge plans is off-putting.

3. Xu Yi Ren's awful aunt and cousin!!! These two are hands down the most intolerable characters in this show and I wanted to throw things every time they appeared on screen. I understand that Xu Yi Ren is grateful that they took her in as a child, but they're rude and demanding. The cousin is manipulative and a worse liar than Xu Yi Ren ever was and I really hope Xu Yi Ren doesn't passively go along with it.

4. The whole 'searching for person I shared a meaningful moment with' plot and repeated flashbacks to said moment. This isn't the worst trope in this drama but I just feel like I keep seeing it constantly and I'm tired of it. It's really adding to the drama here though so I guess if you like a complicated mess of feelings/somewhat of a love triangle then please enjoy!

5. Moving in together for reasons that don't make sense. I have nothing against dramas with cohabitation plots, but an assistant moving in with her boss (before they have a romantic relationship)??? It's not your responsibility as someone's boss to house your employee, especially for a prolonged time. It would've been more believable if she'd moved in after becoming his girlfriend, but maybe she'll move out after the point at which I dropped this drama in some kind of dramatic breakup storyline.

Also, I love Xia Di, the strong-willed, energetic best friend but wasn't invested in her relationship with Gu Bo, but maybe I should blame it on the similar older-woman-younger-man best friend storyline I just watched in Love Designer, which was really frustrating and drawn-out.

I hope in the episodes I didn't watch that Xu Yi Ren pursues her own dream and finally tells off her aunt and cousin, Fang Zhi You and Li Zhe finally talk out the issues between them, and He Yu Wen lets go and finds her own happiness.

Read More

Wasn't sure if I could finish but I did......

I almost dropped this drama around episode 8 but just kept on going until eventually I finished all 31 episodes - with skipping and fast forwards.

Dislike:
- there were A LOT of scheming characters, lies were really emphasized a lot (as the tag indicates)
- evil aunt and cousin who kept bullying the female lead and female just takes all the abuse and yeah female keeps of "trusting" and "giving second chances" which just ends blowing up in her face anyway
- a female character who does not give up her obsession with the male lead despite being rejected repeatedly
- the female lead's acting somewhat annoys me, I don't know if the character is supposed to be played that way, but the way she acts doesn't give me the feels

Likes, having said all that I AM GLAD that:
- there was no break up scene, male lead's love was strong and he was always and protective
- no amnesia scene THANK GOODNESS I thought they were going to have that after the fight scene
- Fang Zhiyou and Li Zhe friendship after they made up. Great team work. I wish we had seen more of those. It wasn't shown until the last 1.5 episode
- Shiyu! so adorable and probably the most mature of them all.

Read More

Review

I didn't expect this drama to be so good , but it turned out amazing.FL acting was very very good and different from her other cdramas . ML was good too, but the one that really surprised me was the second lead. He had a mysterious vibe that captivates you easily.As for the story I liked it a lot. Its nothing special but what makes this story different from other cdramas is that the main reason behind the hatred between the SL and ML is an actual lie and not a misunderstanding. So in the end you can see how a human relationship can get over such a situation. To conclude I absolutely recommend this drama.

Read More

Cold and honest CEO falling for his assistant

Story: Male CEO absolutely hates people to lie, so he insist on tell the truth all the time which sometimes truth can hurt. Female lead is the opposite, she likes to tell more white lies. ( male lead had an traumatic encounter with a lie and vow to never lie again) They start off on the wrong foot, because he is finding that she always lies. Slowly the two fall in love, and his truthfulness starts to change her, and her white lies start to change him. She also helps heal the male lead and second male lead's broken friendship.

Romance: this was one pair that was oozing with chemistry. every kiss was very cute and passionate ;) The way the male lead expresses his love for her is a little too much for my heart to handle. ( heart flutters) Seriously loved all the scenes. The love story of the second male and female leads was also cute.

Overall: I really liked the meaning and messages behind the story. its not bad as other review said. Also cute female lead, hot male lead, nice chemistry too.

Read More

It was hard to watch to see how Liang Je fares well on chemistry with other actors but she's a natural. The premise of the drama is simple one where the female lead is someone who constantly does white lies when convenient is hired by someone in a company to lie for a CEO who absolutely hates people who lie. Thus, the title: Mr. Honesty. The story is simple and could be watched in a breeze. The character that I didn't like though is the female antagonist. Way to turn your temperament as someone who hired the female lead out of good will to someone who wants her out because the female lead is now sort of having romantic relations with the male lead. Weird.

Read More

I also want them to have a second season featuring Li Zhe and whoever he falls in love with

This is not really a review. I just want to say that enjoyed watching the series. It could have been shorter, but I didn't mind the length. I actually want a sequel of 8 to 16 episodes.

Oh, and I really want Li Zhe to find his true love or let his true love find him. I also want to know if Qiming and gorgeous Yuwen would end up together or just remain as travel buddies. I also want to know if Xu Qing will have a redeeming factor. She and her mom think that they are the victims, when they are actually not. What about the kind, but spineless uncle? What happened to him?

BTW, I adore Fang Shiyu. She is not only, but she's actually very, very beautiful. How old is she supposed to be? The little girl version of Xu Yi Ren looks like she's around seven or eight, but she's actually twelve, so I couldn't guess.

(That's all folks)

All the best to the cast and crew!

Read More